"Free at Dawn"

Jagjaguwar

Artists:

To this point, Small Black had epitomized a certain kind of post-chillwave band that elicited shrugs-- if not outright derision-- from listeners who preferred more overtly "committed"-sounding music. So, credit where it's due, because they are absolutely going for it on "Free At Dawn", the first single from their upcoming sophomore LP, Limits of Desire. The song represents not so much a cleaning up of their sound as it does a full-blown makeover, as the Brooklyn four-piece use the same instrumentation that typified New Chain for wholly different and far more effective purposes.

Simultaneously understated and anthemic, the sub-bass pulse and Josh Hayden Kolenik's vocals smoothly ease into a rush of reverbed guitars and soft horns that complement the warmth conveyed by the open-ended imagery of being "free at dawn" and "reckless as rain." Kolenick's words, much like the influences here (U2, New Order), are common-- but damn if they aren't enduring for a reason.